Longman pronunciation study guide (LPD)

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LONGMAN

PRONUNCIATION

DICTIONARY
STUDY GUIDE
Clare Fletcher

Longman

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Longman Group UK Limited
Longman House, Burnt Mill, Harlow,
Essex CM20 2JE, England
and Associated Companies throughout the world.
© Longman Group UK Limited 1990
All rights reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Publishers.
ISBN 0 582 05386.2
Set in Monophoto Century Schoolbook
Printed in Great Britain
by Richard Clay PLC., Bungay, Suffolk.

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CONTENTS
Introduction
Part A: Pronunciations and variants
1. Characters used in phonemic transcription
2. What pronunciations are given: the layout of entries
3. Alternative pronunciations
DIAGNOSTIC EXERCISE
ALTERNATIVES AT THE BEGINNING OF A WORD
ALTERNATIVES AT TH E END OF A WORD
ALTERNATIVES IN THE MIDDLE OF A WORD
COMBINATIONS OF ALTERNATIVES

4.
5.

6.
7.

ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS INVOLVING THE SYMBOL ▪
QUIZ ON ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS
Inflected and derived words
APPLICATION EXERCISES ON LAYOUT OF ENTRIES.
ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS. INFLECTIONS AND DERIVED FORMS
Optional sounds

SOUNDS SHOWN IN ITALICS: ELISION
SOUNDS SHOWN BY RAISED LETTERS: INSERTION
CONVERSATION FOR STUDY: OPTIONAL SOUNDS
Syllabic consonants
Compression
COMPRESSION INVOLVING A CONSONANT
COM PRESSION INVOLVING A VOWEL
CONVERSATION FOR STUDY: SYLLABIC CONSONANTS AND
COMPRESSION

Part B: Stress in words and phrases
8. Pairs of words with different stress
9. Stress marking
PRIMARY STRESS
SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STKKSS
TERTIARY STRESS
MIXED PATTERNS
10. Stress shift
11. Compounds and phrases
12. Alternative pronunciations with different stress
13. Suffixes
Part C: Aspects of pronunciation in the dictionary
14. American pronunciation
SIX DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH
QUIZZES ON AMERICAN PRONUNCIATION
TEXT FOR STUDY: AMERICAN PRONUNCIATION
15. Homophones
16. Abbreviations
17. Names of people and places
18. Assimilation

TEXT FOR STUDY: ASSIMILATION
19. Pronunciations derived by rule
20. Incorrect pronunciations
21. Combining forms
Key to Exercises

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ex.1-8
ex.9-11
ex.12
ex.13
ex.14
ex.15
ex.16
ex.17
ex.18
ex.19-20
ex.21-22
ex.23-26
ex.27
ex.28
ex.29-31
ex.32-35
ex.36-37
ex.38

ex.39-43
ex.44-45
ex.46-47

ex.48-50
ex.51-53
ex.54-58
ex.59-63
ex.64-66
ex.67-69
ex.70-75
ex.76-77
ex.78
ex.79
ex.80
ex.81
ex.82-83
ex.84
ex.85
ex.86
ex.87-88

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INTRODUCTION
This study guide enables readers to make the best use of the Longman Pronunciation Dictionary.
The dictionary and study guide together are a powerful aid to the study of English pronunciation.
WHAT THE STUDY GUIDE CONTAINS
Discussion of features of English pronunciation shown in the dictionary and explanation of the
conventions used to show them.
Exercises to develop effective use of the dictionary.

Cross-references to relevant material in the dictionary's introduction and notes.
Diagnostic exercises in the early sections to enable you to assess your proficiency and select
appropriate material.
Explicit statements of aims to show the purpose of each exercise.
A key at the back of the book for checking the answers to exercises, where these are not
immediately obvious from the dictionary.
The cassette provides three types of material:
Illustration of pronunciations you see in the book and dictionary.
Exercises.
A means of checking your answers to certain exercises.
HOW TO USE THE STUDY GUIDE
You can work through the guide from beginning to end, or you can plan your own programme to
meet your needs.
Planning a programme
Look at the Contents List.
Use the diagnostic exercises in the early sections.
Look at the aims of sections and of specific exercises.
Select the sections and exercises which are useful for you.
Using the commentary and exercises
It is always helpful to say the pronunciations you are reading, to make them clear and to fix
them in your memory. This may not be possible, for example if you are working in a library. But
if you are working by yourself, or with others also using the study guide, make a habit of saying
the pronunciations.
Always look up pronunciations in the dictionary when you are told to do so. In some exercises,
the words to look up begin with the same letter, to speed up the search.
Some exercises involve transcription; you can get further practice by transcribing any of the
dialogues and texts in the book and cassette, and these are transcribed in the key at the back of
the book.
Look up cross-references to the introduction or notes in the dictionary, if you want to take a
point further.

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RP

Consonants

•

Gen
Am
•

p

pen, copy, happen

•

•

b

•

•

t

RP

Vowels

•

Gen
Am
•

ɪ

kit, bid, hymn

back, bubble, job

•

•

e

dress, bed

tea, tight, button

•

•

æ

trap, bad

•

city, better

•

ɒ

lot, odd, wash

•

•

d

day, ladder, odd

•

•

ʌ

strut, bud, love

•

•

k

key, cock, school

•

•

ʊ

foot, good, put

•

•

g

get, giggle, ghost

•

•

iː

fleece, sea, machine

•

•

ʧ

church, match, nature

•

•

eɪ

face, day, steak

•

•

ʤ

judge, age, soldier

•

•

aɪ

price, high, try

•

•

f

fat, coffee, rough, physics

•

•

ɔɪ

choice, boy

•

•

v

view, heavy, move

•

•

uː

goose, two, blue

•

•

θ

thing, author, path

•

əʊ

goat, show, no

•

•

ð

this, other, smooth

oʊ

goat, show, no

•

•

s

soon, cease, sister

•

ɒʊ

variant in cold

•

•

z

zero, zone, roses, buzz

•

aʊ

mouth, now

•

•

ʃ

ship, sure, station

•

ɪə

near, here, serious

•

•

ʒ

pleasure, vision

•

eə

square, fair, various

•

•

h

hot, whole, behind

•

•

ɑː

start, father

•

•

m

more, hammer, sum

•

ɑː

lot, odd

•

•

n

nice, know, funny, sun

•

ɒː

thought, law

•

•

ŋ

ring, long, thanks, sung

•

ɔː

thought, law

•

•

l

light, valley, feel

•

•

ɔː

north, war

•

•

r

right, sorry, arrange

•

oː

variant in force, four

•

•

j

yet, use, beauty

•

ʊə

cure, poor, jury

•

•

w

wet, one, when, queen

•

ɜː

nurse, stir

•

ɝː

nurse, stir, courage

•

•

i

happy, radiation, glorious

•

•

ə

about, comma, common

•

•

u

•

•

ɩ

influence, situation,
annual
intend, basic

ʊ

stimulus, educate

In foreign words only:
•
•
loch, chutzpah
x
•
Llanelli, Hluhluwe
ɬ

•
•

•

In foreign words only:
•
grand prix, chanson
•
•
•

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•

grand prix, chanson

•

chanson

•

vingt-et-un
vingt-et-un

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Part A: pronunciation and variants
1 Characters used in phonemic transcription
The chart on the previous page shows the chit rafters which are used to transcribe
pronunciations in the dictionary. The sounds and key words are recorded on the cassette, followed
by the vowel sounds in sequence.
Within words, syllable boundaries are shown by spaces
e.g. ˌɪn dɪ ˈpend ənt
EXERCISE 1
Diagnostic exercise in reading straightforward phonemic transcriptions quickly and
accurately.

Time yourself as you do this exercise.
For each of the words a-j below, find the correct phonemic transcription in the list on the right. Write
its number next to the word. The first one is done for you.
a. await .5.
1. krɪ ˈeɪt ɔ
2. jet
b. billow ....

3. ˈɒ rɪnʤ
4. ʧəʊz

c. chose ....

5. ə ˈweɪt
6. ʤet

d. creature ....

7. bɪ ˈləʊ
8. ˈsɜːʤ ən

e. drudge ....

starting time:
................
finishing time:
................
time taken:
................

9. ə ˈreɪnʤ
10. hɑːt

f. hurt ....

11. drʌg
12. ˈbɪl əʊ

g. jet ....

13. rekt
14. ˈæv ɪd

h. orange ....

15. ʧɔɪz
16. ˈsɑːʤ ənt

i. sergeant ....

17. ˈkriːʧ ə
18. drʌʤ

j. wrecked ....

19. ˈreʧ ɪd
20. hɜːt

Check your answers to exercise 1 with the key at the back of the book.

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EXERCISES 2-8
AIM: To practise recognising and producing straightforward phonemic transcriptions.
EXERCISE 2
Look back at the transcriptions in exercise 1. Write the words represented by the ten
transcriptions which did not match a-j.
EXERCISE 3
Which word does each of the transcriptions below represent? Circle the correct word. Work as
quickly as you can. The first one is done for you.

1. aɪs

A
eyes

B
ice

2. ˈæŋkəl

ankle

uncle

3. səʊl

soil

soul

4. briːð

breathe

breath

5. əˈvɪɔd

avoid

evade

6. θɪŋ

thin

thing

7. ˈpəʊz ɪz

possess

poses

8. vaɪn

vein

vine

9. ˈluːv ə

louvre

lover

10. ˈfiːl ɪŋz

fillings

feelings

You can check your answers in the key and on the cassette.
EXERCISE 4
Look back at the pairs of words given in exercise 3. For each pair, transcribe the one not
transcribed on the left.
EXERCISE 5
Read the transcriptions below, and then listen to the eight words on the cassette. For each
word, write the letter of the correct transcription beside the corresponding number. The first one is
done for you.
a. ˈleð ə

e. ˈkæʧ ə

i.

liːd ə

m. ˈkɒŋ kɔːd

b. ˈwɒʃ ɪŋ

f.

j.

eɪʤ

n. əˈlaɪv

c. kæ ˈʃɪə

g. ˈwɒʧ ɪŋ

k. ˈɒl ɪv

d. ˈleʒ ə

h. eʤ

l.

1. .i.

luːs

ˈkɒŋ kəd

o. luːz
p. ˈleʤ ə

2. .... 3. .... 4. .... 5. .... 6. .... 7. .... 8. ....

EXERCISE 6
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Look back at transcriptions a-p in exercise 5. Write the eight words shown which were not
given on the cassette.
You can check your answers in the key and on the cassette.
EXERCISE 7
In the following pairs of words, is the first syllable the same (S) or different (D)? Use the
dictionary to check. The first two are done for you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

worthy

feral
dynasty
variegated
vagary
vicissitude

worried
ferrous
dynamite
various
vagabond
vicar

.D.
.S.
....
....
....
....

7. majestic
8. patient
9. southeast
10. period
11. nutrient
12. foreign

magician
patio
southern

pierrot
nutmeg
forecast

....
....
....
....
....
....

EXERCISE 8
Time yourself as you do this exercise.
For each of the words a-j below, find the correct phonemic transcription in the list on the right. Write
its letter next to the word. The first one is done for you.
a. season .19.

1. ˈsɪŋ ə
2. fɔ ˈnet ɪk

b. wordy ....

3. ə ˈgen
4. ˈfɔː mən

c. foreman ....

5. ˈnʌt ə
6. ʃiːld

d. neuter ....

7. jɪə
8. fɔ ˈnæt ɪk

e. phonetic ....

starting time:
................
finishing time:
................
time taken:
................

9. ˈsɪn ə
10. ˈpleʒ ə

f.

sinner ....

11. ˈnjuːt ə
12. ˈwɜːd i

g. shield ....

13. ˈsiːz ɪŋ
14. ʤɪə

h. organ ....

15. pliːz
16. siːld

i.

please ....

j.

jeer ....

17. ˈɔːg ən
18. ˈfɔː neɪm
19. ˈsiːz ən
20. ˈwɜːð i

Check your answers with the key. Did you do better than in exercise 1? Were you more
accurate and/or quicker?

2 What pronunciations are given: the layout of entries
For every word the dictionary gives a main pronunciation. This is highlighted in blue. If the American
pronunciation is different, it is given, following the symbol ǁ, and aiso highlighted in blue. If no
separate American pronunciation is given, this means that the word has the same pronunciation in
British and American English.
match mæʧ

dot, Dot dɒt ‖ dɑːt

If there are widely used alternatives, either in British or American English, these are given. Some

alternatives are characteristic of British regional accents, and are marked †.
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data 'deɪt ə 'dɑːt ə, †'d

'dæ

, 'dɑːt ə

bath v bɑːθ †bæθ
Occasionally, pronunciations are shown which many English speakers use, but which many other
English speakers consider incorrect. These are marked ◬.
ate past of eat et eɪt ‖ eɪt ◬et
(In American English et is considered incorrect.)
The dictionary entries below are labelled to show the pronunciations given.

EXERCISE 9
AIM: To become familiar with the layout of entries, and recognise the types of
pronunciation shown.
Label the dictionary entries below, like those on page 5.

EXERCISE 10
AIM: To recognise the types of pronunciation given, and practise transcribing them.
Study the dictionary entries printed below.
Then use the information to complete the boxes on the following page.

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Main pron
1. match
2. ballad
3. mead

4. lewd
5. suit

6. mark
7. dot
8. herb
9. part

10.bath
11.past

12.mayor
13.broad
14.ballet
15.bare

16.new
17.tube

mæʧ

Main pron

Alternative pron

luːd

ljuːd

Main pron

AmE pron

mɑːk

mɑːrk

Main pron

Regional pron

AmE pron

bɑːθ

bæθ

bæθ

Main pron

AmE pron

Alternative AmE pron

meə

meɪər

meər

Main pron

Regional pron

AmE pron

Alternative AmE pron

njuː

nuː

nuː

njuː

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EXERCISE 11
AIM: To identify which pronunciation of a word is used, when you hear it.
Listen to the speakers on the cassette. Notice their pronunciation of the words studied on pages
7-8. Transcribe the words as they pronounce them, and identify which of the variant pronunciations
they use. You might like to say whether you think each speaker is English or American. The first one
is done for you.

Speaker
mark
past
mayor
Speaker
tour
part
poor
Speaker
rare
new
suit
ballet
Speaker
Tube
last
four

Transcription

Which pron?

English or American?

mɑːk

main
regional (or AmE)

English with regional accent

1:
pæst
2:

3:

4:

For those interested in studying some of the differences between American and British English
pronunciation, there is a section on American pronunciation on pages 65-70. Regional
pronunciations are discussed in LPD Introduction 2.2.

3 Alternative pronunciations
In order to present information concisely, alternative pronunciations are often abbreviated. To get
the most out of the dictionary, it is important to be able to interpret the conventions which are used.
EXERCISE 12
Diagnostic exercise in interpreting information about alternative pronunciations.

How many pronunciations are represented in this entry from the dictionary?
beautiful ˈbjuːt əf əl -ɪf-; -ɪ fʊl, -ə- ‖ ˈbjuːtWhen you have worked out what you think, check your answer in the key.
If you got the right answer, you made good use of the conventions which enable the dictionary to
present so much information in such a small space. You do not need to work through exercises 1316. Go straight on to exercise 17.
If you didn't spot all the pronunciations of beautiful, you might like to go back now and try to work
them out for yourself before you look at the details below and listen to the pronunciations on the
cassette.

ˈbjuːt

əf əl
12

-ɪf-;
34

-ɪ fʊl, -ə- ‖
5
6

ˈbjuːt7 - 12

1. The main pronunciation, the one recommended to foreign learners, is ˈbjuːt əf l
2. Alternative pronunciation: ˈbjuːt əf əl
The other alternatives all have the same first syllable as the main pronunciation, so this syllable is
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not repeated; it is replaced by a hyphen (-).
3. & 4. An alternative pronunciation of the middle syllable: ˈbjuːt ɪf l ˈbjuːt əf əl
5. An alternative pronunciation - a different pronunciation of the final syllable: ˈbjuːt ɪf ʊl
6. The same first and last syllable as 5 with a different middle syllable: ˈbjuːt ə fʊl
The American pronunciation has a different allophone of t in the first syllable. The main American
pronunciation is therefore:
7. ˈbjuː əf l
The alternative pronunciations of the middle and last syllables shown in 2-6 also occur in American
pronunciations, so alternatives exist:
8.
9.
10.
11.

fʊl

12.

ə fʊl

The example above shows how much information a brief entry can contain. The conventions for
showing alternative pronunciations are studied systematically in the rest of this section.
EXERCISES 13-17
AIM: To understand the conventions used to abbreviate alternative pronunciations
following the main pronunciation.
When alternative pronunciations differ only in one syllable, the dictionary shows the part of the word
which is different, and the rest of the word is ‗cut back‘.
Alternatives at the beginning of a word

This means that there is an alternative pronunciation, æˈstrɒl əʤ i. Only the first syllable, is
different. This is given in the dictionary, and the rest of the pronunciation is represented by a
hyphen (-).
EXERCISE 13
The following words all have one or more alternative pronunciations of the first syllable. (The
number in brackets shows the number of alternatives.)
a. Can you think what the alternatives are? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternatives shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. accept ækˈsept (2) .................
2. behave bɪˈheɪv (2) .................
3. desolation ˌdes əˈleɪ ʃn (1) .................
4. economic ˌiːk əˈnɒm ɪk (1) .................
5. exult ɪgˈzʌlt (5) .................
Alternatives at the end of a word

This means that there is an alternative pronunciation. The first syllable, which is the same, is not
12
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repeated; instead it is replaced by a hyphen.

This means that Americans pronounce the final syllable with a different vowel; the final syllable is
given (with an alternative), and the first two syllables, which are the same as the main English
pronunciation, are replaced by a hyphen.
EXERCISE 14
The following words all have one or more alternative pronunciations of the last syllable. (The
number in brackets shows the number of alternatives.)

a. Can you think what the alternatives are? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternatives shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. garage ˈgær ɑːʒ (2) .................
2. kindred ˈkɪndr əd (1) .................
3. hopeful ˈhəʊp fəl (1) .................
4. mistress ˈmɪs trəs (1) .................
5. opiate ˈəʊp i⌣ət (2) .................
Alternatives in the middle of a word

This means that there is an alternative pronunciation. The first and last syllables are the same as
the main pronunciation, so they are each replaced by a hyphen.
EXERCISE 15
The following words all have an alternative pronunciation of the middle syllable.
a. Can you think what the alternative is? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternative shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. secretive ˈsiːk rət ɪv .................
2. incisive ɪn ˈsaɪs ɪv .................
3. inherent ɪnˈhɪər ənt .................
4. manager ˈmæn ɪʤ ə .................
5. make-believe ˈmeɪk bɪ∘liːv .................
Combinations of alternatives
In some words, more than one syllable has an alternative pronunciation, and these are independent
of one another. The alternative syllables marked in the dictionary therefore represent several
combinations.
abseil ˈæb seɪəl ˈæp-, -saɪəl
There are two possible first syllables, and two possible second syllables. These can combine to make
four pronunciations.
ˈæb seɪəl ˈæb seɪəl

ˈæp seɪəl
ˈæp saɪəl ˈæb saɪəl
ˈæp saɪəl
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EXERCISE 16
Below are a number of dictionary entries. For each entry, one of the alternative
pronunciations shown is recorded on the cassette. For each one:
a. Transcribe the pronunciation you hear.
b. Circle the parts of the dictionary entry which show that pronunciation.
The first one is done for you.
1. decision dɪˈsɪʒən də-, †diː, ˈzɪʃ, -zɪʒ ...dəˈziʒn.....
2. opposite ˈɒp əz ɪt -əs-, †-ət‖ɑːp- .................
3. substantial səbˈstæntʃəl †sʌb-, -ˈstɑːntʃ- .................
4. transistor træn ˈzɪst ə trɑːn-, †trən-, -ˈsɪst .................
5. decisive dɪˈsaɪs ɪv də-, †diː-, -ˈsaɪz- .................
6. exasperate ɪgˈ zæsp ə reɪt eg-, əg-, ɪk-, ek-, ək-, -ˈzɑːsp- .................
Alternative pronunciations involving the symbol ▪
Unstressed syllables in the middle of a multisyllabic word are often shown in relation to a stressed
syllable. This ensures that you know which syllable is being referred to.

This square block preceded by a stress mark stands for the stressed syllable in front of the
alternative pronunciation. The alternative pronunciation of the word is thus:
ˈmæn əʤ əb əl
Notice that the square block (▪) always stands for one syllable, whereas the hyphen (-) replacing
part of a word may stand for one or more than one syllable.

This square block preceded by a tertiary stress mark stands tor the syllable which carries tertiary
stress in the main pronunciation. The alternative pronunciation is thus clearly shown as referring to
the syllable following the tertiary stress. The alternative pronunciation of the word is thus:
ˌʌn∘ser ə ˈməʊn i⌣əs

This alternative is shown as being in the syllable after the initial stressed syllable. Thus:
ˈæk jə∘pʌŋk ʧər ɪst
EXERCISE 17
Use the dictionary to help you say and transcribe the following:
1. The American pronunciation of Aberdeen, in Scotland.
2. All the alternative pronunciations shown for academician.
3. The pronunciation of Addis Ababa.
4. The second pronunciation of manageress.
5. A regional pronunciation of misrepresentation.
EXERCISE 18
Quiz on alternative pronunciations.
Use the dictionary to answer the following questions.
1. Can exorcise be pronounced like exercise?
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2. How many British and American pronunciations exist for majority? Transcribe each one.
3. mandatory - is the pronunciation mæn ˈdeɪt ər i used in America?
4. TRUE OR FALSE? ‗Nobody uses /s/ in the middle of appreciate.‘
5. TRUE OR FALSE? ‗acotyledon is sometimes pronounced with three ə‗s.‘

4 Inflected and derived words
The dictionary shows how inflected and derived words are pronounced. One-syllable words are
shown in full. For others, both the spelling and pronunciation are shown as endings following a
headword.
reason, R~ ˈriːzən ~ed d ~ing/s ⌣ɪŋ/z ~s z
reasonab|le ˈriːzən⌣əb|əl ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
reassess ˌriː⌣əˈses ~ed t ~es ɪz əz ~ing ɪŋ ~ment/s mənt/s
reassign ˌriː⌣əˈsaɪn ~ed d ~ing ɪŋ ~s z
reas|sure ˌriː⌣ə |ˈʃɔː -ˈʃʊə; rɪəˈ▪ ‖-|ˈʃʊər -ˈʃɝː ~sured ˈʃɔːd ˈʃʊəd ‖ˈʃʊərd ˈʃɝːd ~sures ˈʃɔːz ˈʃʊəz ‖ˈʃʊərz
ˈʃɝːz ~suring/ly ˈʃɔːr ɪŋ/li ˈʃʊər- ‖ˈʃʊrɪŋ/li ˈʃɝːreassuranc|e ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts -ˈʃɔːr- ‖ˈʃʊr- ˈʃɝː- ~es ɪz əz
Reamur

amur ˈreɪ əʊ mjuə ‖ˌreɪ oʊ ˈmjuər −Fr [ʁe o myːʁ]

Reave riːv
reawaken ˌriː⌣ə weɪk ən ~ed d ~ing ⌣ɪŋ ~s z
reason, R~ ˈriːzən ~ed d ~ing/s ⌣ɪŋ/z ~s z
In the spelling of this example, endings are added to the headword with no alteration. For the
pronunciation of inflected words, just add the pronunciation of the endings. Thus:
reasoned ˈriːzənd
reasoning ˈriːzən⌣ɪŋ
reasonings ˈriːzən⌣ɪŋz
reasons ˈriːzənz
Sometimes an ending is added not to the complete word but to just part of it. The symbol | is used
to show exactly which part is concerned.
reasonab|le ˈriːzən⌣əb|əl ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
reasonab+ly=reasonably ˈriːzən⌣əb+li=ˈriːzən⌣əbli
reassuranc|e ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənˈs -ˈʃɔːr- ‖ˈʃʊr- ˈʃɝː- ~es ɪz əz
reassuranc+es=reassurances ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts+ɪz=ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts ɪz
EXERCISE 19

AIM: To understand the conventions used in the dictionary to show the spelling and
pronunciation of inflected and derived words. To transcribe the pronunciations.
Find the following words in the dictionary extract, and transcribe their pronunciation.
1. reassessment ..............
2. reassigned ..............
3. reassuring ..............
4. reawakens ..............
EXERCISE 20
Quiz on inflected and derived forms.
Use the dictionary to help you answer the following questions.
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1. What is the American pronunciation of marketed?
2. How is kindliness pronounced - 'kaɪnd li nəs or 'kaɪnd lə nəs?
3. Which is the correct pronunciation of uselessly - 'juːs ləs li or juːz ləs li?
4. TRUE OR FALSE? ‗The words studied and studded are sometimes pronounced the same.‘
5. How is the plural of agency pronounced - ˈeɪʤ əns iz or ˈeɪʤ əns əz?
EXERCISES 21-22
AIM: To apply your understanding of layout of entries, alternative pronunciations,
inflections and derived forms.
EXERCISE 21
Look up in the dictionary the words listed below, and complete the table. The first two are done
for you.

1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Asia
nothing
Aberdaron
ballroom
behave
economics
managing
target

Main

Alternative

ˈeɪʃ ə

ˈeɪʒ ə

ˈnʌθ ɪŋ

Regional

AmE

AmE alternative

ˈeɪʒ ə

ˈeɪʃ ə

ˈnɑθ ɪŋ

EXERCISE 22
Look up in the dictionary the words listed below, and complete the table. The first two are done
for you.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Main
Alternative Regional
‗Incorrect‘ AmE
AmE alternative
topmast
ˈtɒp mɑːst ˈtɒp məst
ˈtɒp mæst
ˈtɑːp mæst
arthritis

ɑː ˈθraɪt ɪs
ɑː ˈθraɪt əs ɑːθ əˈraɪt ɪs ɑːr ˈθ
əs
Buckingham
dansing
mistake
Saturday
tariff
trauma

5 Optional sounds
1. Optional sounds are sounds which are pronounced by some speakers or an some
occasions, but are omitted by other speakers or on other occasions. In LPD ihcy arc indicated in two
ways: by italics and by raised letters.
2. Sounds shown in italics are sounds which the foreign learner is recommended to include
(although native speakers sometimes omit them). They denote sounds which may optionally be
elided (omitted).
lunch ˈlʌntʃ Some say lʌntʃ, others say lʌnʃ. LPD recommends ˈlʌntʃ.
bacon ˈbeɪk ən Some say ˈbeɪk ən, others say ˈbeɪk n. LPD recommends ˈbeɪk ən.
3. Sounds shown with raised letters are sounds which the foreign learner is recommended to
ignore (although native speakers sometimes include them). They denote sounds which may
optionally be inserted.
fence fents Some say fens, others say fents. LPD recommends fens.
sadden ˈsæd ən Some say ˈsæd n, others say ˈsæd ən. LPD recommends ˈsæd n.
Sounds shown in italics: elision
Elision is the omission (= deletion) of a sound that would otherwise be present. It is particularly
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characteristic of rapid or casual speech.
EXERCISE 23
AIM: To identify the full and elided pronunciation of words when you hear them.
a. The words below all have a sound which can be elided (omitted, deleted). Listen to the
cassette: each word is spoken twice, first in full, and then with elision.
in full

with elision

1. French

frentʃ

frenʃ

2. plunge

plʌndʒ

plʌnʒ

3. stamped

stæmpt

stæmt

4. tangerine ˌtændʒ ə ˈriːm

5. tasteful

ˈteɪst fʊl

ˌtænʒ ə ˈriːm
ˈteɪs fʊl

6. kindness ˈkaɪnd nəs

ˈkaɪn nəs

ə 'weɪk ən

ə 'weɪk n

7. awaken

b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word circle the appropriate transcription in
a. above.
A sound which can be elided is shown in the dictionary in italics:
French, f~

frentʃ

plunge

plʌndʒ

stamped

stæmpt

tangerine, T~

ˌtændʒ ə ˈriːm

tasteful

ˈteɪst fəl

kindness

ˈkaɪnd nəs

awaken

ə 'weɪk ən

EXERCISE 24
AIM: To understand the marking of elision in the dictionary.
The dictionary entries below show that elision may take place in these words. Look at the
transcriptions next to the entries. For each one, mark whether the word is given in full (F) or with
elision (E). The first one is done for you.
1. launch lɔːntʃ

lɔːntʃ F

2. arrange ə ˈreɪndʒ

ə ˈreɪnʒ

3. pumped pʌmpt

pʌmt

4. minx mɪŋks

mɪŋks

5. token ˈtəʊk ən ‖

ˈtəʊk ən

6. cold|ly ˈkəʊld|li -ˈkɒʊld- ‖ˈkoʊld- ~ness nəs nɪs

ˈkəʊld nəs

EXERCISES 25-26
AIM: To understand the conditions in which elision of consonants takes place, and so to
predict when elision may take place. To say and transcribe full and elided forms.
Elision of consonants
Within a syllable:
t may be elided in ntʃ e.g. lunch lʌntʃ, lʌnʃ
d may be elided in ndʒ e.g. strange streɪndʒ, streɪnʒ
p may be elided in mps, mpt e.g. jumped dʒʌmpt, dʒʌmt
t may be elided in nts e.g. contents ˈkɒn tents, ˈkɒn tens
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k may be elided in ŋks, ŋkt e.g. lynx lɪŋks, lɪŋs
At the end of a syllable, t and d may be elided before a consonant in the next syllable:
t may be elided in ft, st e.g. firstly 'fɜːst li, 'fɜːs li
and less commonly in pt, kt, tʃt, θt, ʃt
d may be elided in Id, nd e.g. baldness 'bɔːld nəs, 'bɔːl nəs
and less commonly in bd, gd, dʒd, vd, ðd, zd, md, ŋd
EXERCISE 25
Say and transcribe the following words in their full form, and jF'lj with elision. You can
check the pronunciation on the cassette, and the transcription in the key.
in full
with elision
1. pinch
2. bandstand
3. camped
4. wistful
5. softness
6. textbook
EXERCISE 26
Four of the following words can exhibit elision. Circle those words.
softly softer customer lounge firstly judged lateness wasteful
There is further discussion of elision in the note ELISION in LPD.
Sounds shown by raised letters: insertion
Insertion of consonants
Some words have an alternative pronunciation in which a consonant is inserted. The inserted sound
is shown by a small, raised letter.

prince, P~

prɪnts

triumph n, v, T~ 'traɪ ʌmpf

Main pron

with insertion

prɪns

prɪnts (= prints)

'traɪ ʌmf

'traɪ ʌmpf

These consonants are only inserted after a nasal sound, when the vocal organs are not precisely
synchronised in their movement from the position for the nasal to the position for the following oral
sound.
EXERCISE 27
AIM: TO IDENTIFY WHETHER A SOUND HAS BEEN INSERTED, WHEN YOU HEAR A WORD.
The dictionary entries below show that the words are sometimes pronounced with an inserted
sound. Listen to the words on the cassette, and transcribe the pronunciations you hear.
1. fence fents .....fents....
2. sentence ˈsent ənts .....ˈsent əns....
3. distanc|e 'dɪst ənts ................
4. mince mɪnts ................
5. triumph n, v, T~ 'traɪ ʌmpf ................
6. acquaintanc|e ə 'kweɪnt ənts ................
7. comf|ort, C~ 'kʌmpf| ət ................

8. emph|asis 'empf|əs ɪs ................
9. assistance ə 'sɪst ənts ................
10.substantial səb'stæntʃəl ................
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Insertion of ə
This is an alternative to a syllabic consonant, and is dealt with in the section on syllabic consonants
on pages 26-30.
EXERCISE 28
AIM: To apply knowledge of optional sounds in studying a conversation.
The conversation below is recorded on the cassette. You can use it as you choose. Three different
approaches are suggested.
Suggestion 1. Before you listen, read the conversation and underline the words in which elision
or insertion are possible. Use Key A to check what you have marked.
Then listen to the conversation on the cassette to see how the speakers pronounce these
words; circle those which have undergone elision or insertion. Use Key B to check.
Suggestion 2. Listen to the conversation, with the book closed, and transcribe it. You can use
Key B to check your transcription.
Suggestion 3. When you have listened to the conversation, (and followed suggestion 1 or 2).
practise saying the conversation. Record yourself, and compare your version with the one on the
cassette.
A: I've just had my lounge decorated. It hadn't been done since I moved in.
B: What colour is it?
A: It's called French Blush.
B: Very tasteful, I'm sure, but it doesn't convey anything.
A: Well, on the chart it looked lovely - a sort of pale tangerine colour.

B: That sounds nice. The lounge faces north, doesn't it, and a tangerine glow would take away the
coldness.
A: That's just what I thought: elegant but comfortable. But actually it's more like orange. It's
cheerful - but not very restful.

6 Syllabic consonants
1 Most syllables contain a vowel sound. Sometimes, though, a syllable consists only of a consonant
(or consonants). If so, this consonant (or one of them) is a nasal (usually n) or liquid (l or,
especially in AmE, r). For example, in the usual pronunciation of suddenly 'sʌd n li, the second
syllable consists of n alone. Such a consonant is called a syllabic consonant.
2 Instead of a syllabic consonant it is always possible to pronounce a vowel ə plus an ordinary (nonsyllabic) consonant. Thus it is possible, though not usual, to say 'sʌd ən li rather than 'sʌd n li.
EXERCISE 29
AIM: To recognise syllables containing a syllabic consonant or vowel + consonant, when
you hear and see them.
a. The words below all have a main pronunciation with a syllabic consonant. Listen to the
cassette: each word is spoken twice, first with a syllabic consonant, and then with a vowel +
consonant.
syllabic consonant

vowel + consonant

1. suddenly

'sʌd n li

'sʌd ən li

2. Britain

'brɪt n

'brɪt ən

3. frightening

'fraɪt n ɪŋ

'fraɪt ən ɪŋ

4. hidden

'hɪd n

'hɪd ən

5. medal

'med l

'med əl

6. needlework

'niːd l wɜːk

'niːd əl wɜːk

7. cattle

'kæt l

'kæt əl

8. petals

'pet lz

'pet əlz

9. panel

'pæn l

'pæn əl

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10.softener

'sɒf n ə

'sɒf ən ə

11.station

'steɪ ʃn

'steɪ ʃən

12.fastened

'fɑːs nd

'fɑːs ənd

b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word, circle the appropriate transcription
in a. above.
EXERCISE 30
AIM: To recognise contexts in which syllabic consonants are likely. To identify and
transcribe syllables containing a syllabic consonant or vowel + consonant, when you hear
words.
a. Look at the text below. Underline words which are likely to contain syllabic consonants. Use
Key A to check the words you have underlined.
b. Listen to the text on the cassette and notice how the speaker pronounces each word
you have underlined: does it have a syllabic consonant? Transcribe these words as spoken on the
cassette. Use Key B to check.
GOLDEN OLDIES –
the most popular songs chosen by radio listeners:
The Battle of New Orleans
Wooden Heart
Beautiful Dreamer
I Beg your Pardon (I never promised you a rose garden)
The Tunnel of Love
Sentimental Journey
Suddenly it's Spring
Congratulations

3 Likely syllabic consonants arc shown in LPD with the symbol ə, thus suddenly 'sʌd ən li. LPD's
regular principle is that a raised symbol indicates a sound whose insertion LPD does not recommend
(see OPTIONAL SOUNDS). Hence this notation implies that LPD prefers bare n in the second syllable.
Since there is then no proper vowel in this syllabic, the n must be syllabic.
4 Similarly, in middle 'mɪd əl LPD recommends a pronunciation with syllabic l, thus 'mɪd l. In father
'fɑːð ə‖'fɑːð ər LPD recommends for AmE a pronunciation with syllabic r. thus 'fɑːð r.
5 The IPA provides a special diacritic to show a syllabic consonant, thus

. 'sʌd li. For AmE syllabic

r, the symbol ɚ is sometimes used, thus 'fɑːðɚ. Because LPD uses spaces to show syllabification, it
does not need these conventions. Any nasal or liquid in a syllable in which there is no other vowel
must automatically be syllabic.
Since it is always possible to insert ə in a word with a syllabic consonant, words containing syllabic
consonants in the dictionary are all shown with ə, as shown in the following entries.
sudden 'sʌd ən ~ly li
Britain 'brɪt ən
frighten 'fraɪt ən ~ing/ly ⌣ɪŋ/li
hidden 'hɪd ən
medal 'med əI
needlework 'niːd əl wɜːk
cattle 'kæt əl ‖'ka
petal 'pet

əl

‖'pe

əl
əl

~ed, ~led d ~s z

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panel 'pæn əI
softener 'sɒfən⌣ə
station 'steɪʃ ən
fasten 'fɑːsən †'fæs- ‖'fæsən ~ed d
What is the difference between ən and ən?
Remember the conventions used in the dictionary:
- an italic letter shows a sound which is sometimes elided. The main pronunciation - which foreign
learners are recommended to use - includes the sound. So for
distant 'dɪst ənt
the recommended pronunciation is 'dɪst ənt.
- a raised letter shows a sound which is sometimes inserted. The main pronunciation does not
include this sound. So for
button, B~ 'bʌt ən
the recommended pronunciation is 'bʌt n.
EXERCISE 31
AIM: To interpret the symbols

ə

and ə quickly and correctly.

In some of the following words, the recommended pronunciation has a syllabic consonant. In
others, the recommended pronunciation has a syllable with ə. Look up each word in the dictionary;
then transcribe its recommended pronunciation. The first one is done for you.
1. absent ...ˈæb snt......
2. beckon .................
3. current .................
4. cycle .................
5. Pamela .................
6. paragon .................
7. servant .................
8. similar .................
9. traveller .................
10.vacant .................

7 Compression
1 Sometimes a sequence of sounds in English has two possible pronunciations: either as two
separate syllables, or compressed into a single syllable. Possible compressions are shown in LPD by
the symbol

⌣

between the syllables affected.

E.g. lenient ˈliːn i⌣ənt

Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one ˈliːn i ənt, and a faster

one ˈliːn jənt
diagram ˈdaɪ⌣ə græm

Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one ˈdaɪ ə græm, and a faster

one ˈdaə græm.
maddening ˈmæd ən⌣ɪŋ

Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one with three syllables, ˈmæd

n ɪŋ or ˈmæd ən ɪŋ and a faster one with two syllables, ˈmæd nɪŋ.
2 Generally the uncompressed version is more usual
in rarer words
in slow or deliberate speech
the first time the word occurs in a discourse.
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The compressed pronunciation is more usual
in frequently-used words
in fast or casual speech
if the word has already been used in the discourse.
Compression involving a consonant
Compression causes a possible syllabic consonant to become a plain non-syllabic consonant.
A frequent context for compression is when -ing is added to a verb ending with a syllabic consonant.
The inflected form often appears in the dictionary under the verb, with the ending shown separately.

This represents an entry battling bæt el⌣ɪŋ which can be pronounced with three syllables or two
syllables.
EXERCISE 32

AIM: To check your understanding of the conventions shown above.
Say and transcribe the pronunciations of battling with three syllables and two syllables.
You can check the pronunciations on the cassette, and the transcriptions in the key.
EXERCISE 33
AIM: To recognise whether a word has undergone compression when you hear the word.
Listen to the words below, on the cassette. For each one, decide if it is pronounced with
three syllables, i.e. has a syllabic consonant in the middle, or if it is pronounced with two syllables,
i.e. has undergone compression. Write how many syllables you hear. The first two are done for you.
1.
2.
3.
4.

maddening .3..
battling .2..
flattening ....
sprinkling ....

5.
6.
7.
8.

cycling ....
reckoning ....
threatening ....
trickling ....

EXERCISE 34
AIM: To transcribe words containing a syllabic consonant plus suffix, showing whether the syllabic

consonant has undergone compression.
Transcribe the words on the cassette in exercise 33, making sure you show whether there is a
syllabic consonant or whether it has undergone compression.
EXERCISE 35
AIM: To use the dfctlonary to check whether compression can take place.
The following words all have a main pronunciation with three syllables. In some of the words,
compression sometimes takes place and they are pronounced with two syllables.
finally traveller carefully globally lengthening normally nursery sampling summarise
totally tunnelling
Look up each word in the dictionary and check whether it is marked for compression. Complete the
table on the next page. The first two are done for you.
Words with no compression:
always three syllables

Words with compression:
can be two syllables

e.g. finally ˈfaɪn əl i

e.g. traveller ˈtræv əl⌣ə

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ˈfaɪn əl i

ˈtræv lə

Compression involving a vowel
Where compression is marked between vowels, the two vowels can be compressed into one syllable.
The details of the phonetic changes possible are given in the LPD note: COMPRESSION, para. 7.
EXERCISE 36
AIM: To recognise full and compressed forms when you hear and see them.
a. The words below can all undergo compression. Listen to the cassette: each word is spoken
twice, first in full and then with two syllables compressed into one.
full
with compression
1. obvious ˈɒb vi⌣əs

ˈɒb vi əs

ˈɒb vjəs

2. bicentennial ˌbaɪ sen ˈten i⌣əl

ˌbaɪ sen ˈten I əl

ˌbaɪ sen ˈten jəl

3. studious ˈstjuːd i⌣əs

ˈstjuːd I əs

ˈstjuːd jəs

4. usual ˈjuːʒ u⌣əl

ˈjuːʒ u əl

ˈjuːʒ wəl

5. material mə ˈtɪər i⌣əl

mə ˈtɪər I əl

mə ˈtɪər jəl

6. diagram ˈdaɪ⌣ə græm

ˈdaɪ ə græm

ˈdaə græm

b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word, circle the appropriate transcription
in a. above.
EXERCISE 37
AIM: To identify whether words have undergone compression when you hear them.
The words below can all undergo compression. Listen to them on the cassette, and write F
for full, or C for compressed. The first two are done for you.
1. cafeteria F
2. diabetes C
3. previous
4. proprietor
5. fastidious
6. affluent
7. residual
8. obedient

9. curious
EXERCISE 38
AIM: To recognise syllabic consonants and compression in a conversation.
Listen to the conversation on the cassette. Can you find the following?
Eight words with syllabic consonants.
Two words with compression involving a consonant.
Five words with compression involving vowels.
A: These plants haven't flowered at all this year. I bought them from a reputable company, but I
think they must be rotten.
B: This label says they are biennials.
A: So they ought to flower twice a year.
B: No, those are biannuals. Biennial plants only flower every other year. Your plants obviously aren't
flowering because this is the first year.
A: I thought a biennial was a sort of two-hundred year anniversary. 1989 was the biennial of the
23
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French Revolution, and there was a great celebration in Paris.
B: No, you are thinking of bicentennial.
A: Oh, the advantages of a classical education!

Part B: stress in words and phrases
This part of the book deals with the marking of stress in words and phrases. It begins with an
introductory case study, focussing on one very specific use of stress patterns in words, before going
on to look at the full range of stress patterns and marking. Stress is discussed in LPD in the
Introduction 3:3, and the note STRESS.

8 Pairs of words with different stress

A number of English words have the same spelling for a noun or adjective and a verb. There is
a group of these two-syllable words where the noun/adjective is stressed on the first syllable, and
the verb on the second.
e.g. a record ˈre kɔːd
perfect ˈpəːf ɪkt

to record rɪ ˈkɔːd
to perfect pəː ˈfekt

EXERCISE 39
AIM: To stress nouns and verbs correctly.
Fill the gaps in the sentences below. The words you need are listed under the sentences. Mark
the stressed syllable of each word.
1. There has been a big ..ˈincrease.. in the number of students applying to this college.
2. As a Red-Cross volunteer, she sometimes has to .................. disabled people travelling across
London.
3. A recent .................. showed that 98% of households have colour television.
4. The council are going to .................. the High Street into a pedestrian shopping centre.
5. The winning song in the Eurovision Song .................. is usually pretty dull.
6. A gesture which is friendly in one country may be a deadly .................. in another country.
contest convert escort increase insult survey
EXERCISE 40
AIM: A. To use the dictionary to check stress patterns.
B. To stress nouns and verbs correctly.
a. The words below can all be a noun and a verb. For some of them the noun and verb have
different stress (like 'record'). For others, the noun and verb have the same stress. Underline the
words which you think have different stress for the noun and verb. Use the dictionary to check your
choice.
answer contrast offer present reject reply transport
b. Use each underlined word in two sentences, once as a noun and once as a verb. Make sure you

say the words with the correct stress.
Vowels in unstressed syllables
In some Noun-Verb pairs, the vowel in the first syllable is different in the noun and the verb.
e.g. ˈre kɔːd rɪ ˈkɔːd
In other pairs, the vowel is the same. e.g. ˈɪn sʌlt ɪn ˈsʌlt
EXERCISE 41
AIM: To use the dictionary to check pronunciation.
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Use the dictionary to check the vowel in the first syllable of the words underlined below. Write the
word and mark the stressed syllable.
1a. There has been a decrease in the birth rate. ..ˈdiː kriːs......
1b. The number of members is expected to decrease. ............
2a. His business interests conflict with his public duty. ............
2b. The border dispute may lead to armed conflict between the two countries. ............
3a. The President had an armed escort. ............
3b. The receptionist will escort visitors to the meeting room. ............
4a. Taxes are not expected to increase. ............
4b. The average increase in earnings last year was 6%. ............
5a. I cannot permit such behaviour. ............
5b. Have you got a permit for that gun? ............
6a. I'm going to protest. ............
6b. There will be a storm of protest. ............
7a. The rebels in the hiils will never surrender. ............
7b. Every child rebels against authority at some stage. ............
EXERCISE 42

AIM: Further practice with stress and pronunciation in pairs of words.
Can you solve the following clues? In each pair of clues, the words referred to have the same
spelling, but different stress. Write the spelling, and the pronunciation corresponding to each
meaning. The first one is done for you.
1. give sympathy and comfort
console
kən ˈsəʊl
a keyboard, panel of switches
ˈkɒn səʊl
2. decline to do something
rubbish
3. get smaller
a formal legal agreement
4. happy, satisfied
what is contained in something
5. pull out
a short passage from a longer text
6. disagree, protest
a thing
7. very small
sixty seconds
8. go away from, leave
a place where nothing grows
If you are stuck, choose from the words in Key A. The full answers are given in Key B.
Stress on the first syllable of nouns
This is a productive pattern, and frequently appears in new words, particularly those formed from
phrasal verbs, e.g. ˈɪn pʊt

'teɪk ɒf

EXERCISE 43
AIM: To practise stress on the first syllable of nouns.
Can you identify the nouns defined below? They are all related to phrasal verbs. When you say
the nouns, make sure the first syllable is stressed.
1. an armed bank raid ..a hold-up...
2. a burglary ..............
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